Delaware trooper, assailant both dead after DMV shooting

by · UPI

Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A Delaware state trooper and a shooting suspect are dead after an incident occurred before 2 p.m. EST at a Division of Motor Vehicles office in New Castle, Del.

Neither the deceased officer's name nor the suspect's name was released as law enforcement continues investigating the matter, USA Today reported.

The suspect was a 44-year-old man who entered the DMV office, walked to a reception desk where the trooper was working and shot him, Delaware State Police spokesman Cpl. Raushan Rich told media during a 7:30 p.m. news conference.

The trooper was shot a second time while pushing a DMV worker out of the way, and a New Castle County police officer then shot the alleged assailant, Rich said.

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The trooper and suspect were taken to nearby hospitals, where both were declared dead.

A second unnamed trooper was also shot but did not suffer a life-threatening injury. A 40-year-old woman was hospitalized with minor injuries that were not caused by gun fire.

"Protecting the lives of Delawareans is our most fundamental responsibility in government," Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer said a press conference Tuesday.

"Moments like this remind us of the tremendous risks our law enforcement officers and first responders take and the courage that they demonstrate every single day," he added.

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings earlier sent "senior prosecutors" to the scene to help with the investigation, WDEL reported.

All Delaware DMV offices were closed for the day as of 3 p.m.

Hessler Boulevard and Route 13 were closed in the area near the New Castle DMV location, which is about 6 miles south of Wilmington, Del.

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